ST GEORGE — Quick actions kept fire damage minimal and to the interior of a house at 47 Turkey Cove Road, in St. George, July 21, 2025, yet not without some frustration.

After 6:15 a.m., Monday morning, St. George Fire Department and its mutual aid were called to the two-story structure where the first on scene reported smoke coming from the building. That responder noted that one person had evacuated, but that another was inside, attempting to get pets out. Early attempts to prevent the occupants from reentering the building were ignored, but in the end, all three animals – a dog and two cats – came out and are fine.

In an upstairs bedroom, a chair had caught fire and burned the floor underneath it, leaving a small hole in the floor, according to Fire Chief Mike Smith. When firefighters entered, they enlarged that hole to prevent the possible spread of embers. Smith said that it appears that the occupants had initially attempted to extinguish the flames themselves using a dry chemical. Also, water was running in the bathroom, drawing a suspicion that bailing actions had taken place. Because one occupant suffered a superficial burn to the hand and was transported to the hospital, the Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted, as is protocol for any injury sustained in relation to any incendiary material. The house also sustained a lot of smoke damage and water damage, according to Smith.

Quick to respond were St. George Ambulance, Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and St. George FD. A strong response also came from mutual aid partners South Thomaston, Thomaston, Warren, Cushing, Owls Head. All remaining mutual aid cleared the scene by 8 a.m., while some SGFD units waited for the fire investigator, who arrived just before 9 a.m. According to another firefighter on scene, one reason for the FD to remain is in case the investigator wants another hole made in a wall if the investigation suggests it.

Just after 9:30 a.m., one mutual aid department was returned to St. George to assist available first responders at nearby Smuggler's Cove for a small boat and boater stuck on the rocks, inundated by crashing waves. People were able to get to the boater quickly and help him walk off the rocks. Marine Patrol was cancelled while still en route. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com